Trusts' offender role mooted

Leaked government proposals to give council-led children's trusts responsibility for managing young offenders have led to hope for increased early intervention in the lives of troubled children.

The Ministry of Justice refused to confirm the move was part of its upcoming youth crime action plan, but a spokeswoman did not deny discussions had taken place.

If enacted, the transfer could see children's trusts given responsibility for meeting the cost of keeping the estimated 3,000 under-18s currently in some form of custody, and with it greater incentives for early intervention work to reduce that number.

John Coughlan, a former president of the Association of Directors of Children's Services, said the move would be in line with the Department for Children, Schools & Families' joined-up policies for children — but would still need proper funding.

"If the plan is true it makes sense, but we can't allow local authorities to be left holding a baby for which there are no resources," he said.

"I would want to know what powers local authorities could have in partnership with the courts to find alternatives that reduced the number of people who end up in custody."

Caroline Abrahams, Local Government Association programme director for children and young people, said the proposals could help prevent and tackle youth crime and
re-offending.

"The focus on prevention is paramount, though there will always be a place for enforcement for those young people whose offences are of such severity that custody is the most effective response," she said. 

Andrew Neilson, assistant director of the Howard League for Penal Reform, raised concern that any increase in preventative work with young children could take away the focus from existing youth offending teams' work with older children.

He added that children's trusts, which involve police and the NHS, were still a new phenomenon and may not be ready for increased powers.

But he said that boosting the role of councils would lead to more accountability over youth justice.